Reforming

Chapter 5

Clary went to bed more than happy that night, hoping her mood wouldn't diminish in the morning. Unfortunately, it did.

"Behind you!" Clary shouted to Alec. Madame Dorothea had made a deal with a Greater Demon who was trying to retrieve the cup.

Alec turned and slashed with his seraph blade. Madame Dorothea hissed and back handed him with so much force that he flew across the small parlor and out the hole in the wall. Isabelle dove after him.

Jonathan, Simon, and Clary continued to sift through Madame Dorothea's belongings in search of the tarot cards. Something gold caught Clary's eye. She pulled it from a cabinet. Fortunately, it was the deck of tarot cards. Clary practically sighed with relief. Jonathan and Simon stood protectively over Clary as she took out her stele and drew a rune on the corner of the card that held the cup. Madame Dorothea's attention was focused on Clary after she pulled the cup out of the card.

Madame Dorothea chortled. "Give me the cup, Clarissa. It's the only way you can save your friend."

Clary was confused. None of them were injured or in danger. Well, until Madame Dorothea grew a slimy, black tentacle and shot it toward Alec. The tentacle wrapped around Alec's neck and dangled him high above the others. "Don't do it," he gasped. Isabelle gave Clary a pleading look.

While everyone's attention was on Alec and Clary, Jace picked up Alec's bow and arrow. He notched the arrow and pointed it toward the window overhead. His aim wasn't as good as Alec's, but he hoped, for the sake of his parabati, that his aim was good enough. Jace drew back his arm and let the arrow fly. It hit its target. Sunlight shined through, but Jace's victory was short lived.

Madame Dorothea shrieked and dropped Alec. He tuck and rolled to land safely. Jace tossed him the bow and arrows before darting around, dodging Madame Dorothea. Clary's heart stopped as Madame Dorothea launched herself at Jace, screaming. Clary could see that the sunlight was burning her. Thinking quick, Clary slashed a rune into the air with her stele. Light filled the room and Madame Dorothea's screams could be heard from miles away. When the light finally dimmed, there was nothing but wreckage, Shadowhunters, and ash.

All eyes turned on Clary. Her skin burned as the rune carved itself into her skin. Madame Dorothea was no more and everyone was safe. Or at least as safe as they could be. Alec laid injured on the floor. Trying to divert the attention from herself, Clary rushed over to him. He was breathing raggedly and there was blood seeping from the wound on his side. Isabelle, Jace, Jonathan, and Simon rushed over.

"What was that?" Jonathan whispered harshly.

"I panicked. I didn't know what else to do," Clary whispered back.

As Jace was lifting Alec with the help of Simon, Isabelle turned to Clary. "I don't care how you did what you just did. All I know is that it saved both of my brothers' lives. Thank you, Clary."

Clary gave Isabelle a small smile. "It was no problem. You guys have done so much for me without realizing it. And I would have helped him regardless." Clary saw Jace smile and turn his head. "Why don't you guys call Magnus and tell him what's going on. I'm going to go upstairs and make sure the Portal is still up and running." The Shadowhunters and vampire nodded. As soon as they were out of sight, Clary ran a hand through her messy, untamable curls. "Jon, before we go back to the Institute. . . I just wanted to inform you that Hodge Starkweather is there. I've been meaning to tell you, but things keep coming up."

Jonathan's eyes flared. "He's lucky I can't do anything to him."

Clary sighed. "I'll check on the Portal. You make sure everyone knows where to find me."

"But Simon─"

"Please, Jon," her voice was strained.

Jonathan nodded his head and jogged off after the others. Clary turned on her heel and walked to the stairs. She ascended them gracefully, almost floating above them. It didn't take her long to arrive at the foot of her door. Her door was off its hinges and her stuff was everywhere. Alarmed, Clary took out her dagger and stepped through carefully. Through the crack of her closet door, she could see the glow of the Portal. She sighed in relief, but stayed tense and ready for an attack. Someone had rummaged through her room and scattered her things. Not seeing anything, Clary opened her closet door.